The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the downing of a Tu-22 aircraft in the Stavropol Territory after a combat mission, but called the cause of the accident a "technical malfunction." This was reported by the Russian media, UNN reports .
Details
According to the Russian defense ministry, the Tu-22M3 crashed in the Stavropol region after a combat mission while returning to its home airfield.
It is noted that there was no ammunition on board, the plane crashed in a deserted area. There is allegedly no damage on the ground.
The agency cites a "technical malfunction" as the cause of the accident.
According to the governor of the Stavropol Territory, Vladimir Vladimirov, one crew member of the military aircraft was killed. The search for another pilot continues. Earlier, two were rescued.
As a result of the operation, the GUR in cooperation with the Air Force destroyed a Tu-22MZ bomber that was firing missiles at Ukraine today. The enemy aircraft was shot down at a distance of about 300 kilometers from Ukraine using the same means that had previously downed a Russian A-50.